Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 628,|98. Patented July 4, I899.

S. HANFORD. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Jan. 24, 1899.) (No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 628,198. Patented July 4, I899.

S. HANFORD.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed. Jan. 24, 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL HANFORD, OF'BINGl-IAMTON, NEW YORK.

ACETY LEN E-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 628,198, dated July 4,1899. Application filed January 24, 1899. Serial No. 703,260. (Nomodel.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL HAN-FORD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Binghamton, in the county ofBroome and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-GasGenerators, of which the following is a specification.

For the production of acetylene gas for illuminating purposes myinvention is directed, primarily, to that part of the apparatus whereinthe gas is generated; and the objects of my improvements are to providea gas-generating apparatus in which the construction increases theefficiency and the reliability in the working of the machine and of thecapacity for the generation of the gas and with entire safety in itsuse. In the attainment of these advantages the improvements consist ofcertain novel parts and combinations of parts hereinafter specificallyset out in the claims concluding this specification.

The following description, read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, will enable any one skilled in the art to which my inventionrelates to understand its nature and to practice it in the form which Iprefer to employ it; but it will be understood that my invention is notlimited to the precise form herein illustrated and described, as variouschanges and modifications may be made without exceeding the scope of theclaims, in which my invention is set out.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows in top view the open-topgas-generating member of the apparatus and its multiple of coveredgas-generating boxes and their watersupply connections, the cover of oneof said boxes being removed to expose the gas-gencrating compartments.Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same; and Fig. 3

is a transverse section taken through one of the tank water-compartmentsand its contained gas-generating box, showing the water-inflow and gastake-out conduits. Fig. 4 shows in perspective one of the gas-generatingboxes; and Fig. 5 is the telescoping traycover therefor in verticalsection, showing its top asa water-jacket. Fig. 0 is a side elevation ofthe gas-generator and its connected gasometer and water-supplyingparts.- Fig. 7

the gas is the same operation.

shows in enlarged vertical section the gaspurifier and particularlyillustrating its pipe connection with the gas-purifier chamber toreceive the gas from the generator the same as the gasometer does, andFig. 8 shows the gas and water pipes and the two-way cocks 39 on thegas-pipes 34. This figure also shows in sectional view the two-way cockas set to open communication of the gas take-out pipe 3i with theline-pipe 35, connecting the The gas-generating member of the apparatusis constructed of fixed and movable parts-- that is, an open-top tank 1,preferably of 0blong rectangular form, divided into a multiple ofseparate compartments 2 by means of partitions 3, forms the fixedmember, while an open-top gas-generatin g box and a water-sealing covertherefor forms the movable parts between which the gas is generatedwithin each tank-compartment. These gas-generating boxes 4 are ofidentical construction, and in each the water-flow and the generation ofThese gasgencrating boxes are of less depth and of less height than thetank-compartments, and between the walls of the latter and the walls ofthe gencrating boxes there is a surrounding space 5, the purpose ofwhich will be stated.

Each gas-generating box is constructed of a multiple of compartments 6for containing the calcium carbid, and these compartments are renderedactive in the generation of gas in progressive succession. Thesecarbid-compartments may be formed by partitions arranged in any suitablemanner; but I prefer the construction shown as being best adapted forthe gas and water supply conduits. In this construction the box isdivided into three compartments by two partitions 7 and 8, and thesecompartments are subdivided by transverse partitions, making three rowsof compartments each of equal area. WVith, this construction I prefer tomake the center compartment 9 of the box the inlet for the waterfiowintoand from all the compartments, and for effecting this flow 'from' themiddle compartmentone of its walls 10 is of a less height than its otherthree walls, and the construction is such that the flow of water, asindicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 4, over this one end thereof andcrossing over at the other end of the box continue to flow into andthrough the compartments at the other side of the box, terminating inthe end compartment. For this purpose the walls 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,and 17 of the carbid-colnpartments in the direction of the flow are ofless height than the other walls which form the com partments and are ofthe same height as the walls 10 of the water-feed compartment, as seenin Fig. 4.

Preferably the gas-generating box is supported by legs 18 on the bottomof the tankcompartment; but it may be supported upon benches, so thatthe bottom 19 of the box will be about six inches above the bottom ofthe tank to form a space for a purpose which I will presently state.

A cover 20, having the form of an openbottoln box 21, fits over in themanner of telescope-sections. The walls of the gas-generating box 4 andthe walls of this cover are deeper than the walls of the generator-box,

so as to cause the cover to form a water seal over the generator.Between the walls of the tank-compartment and the walls of thegasgenerator box there will be a space 5 both outside and inside of theinverted-cover walls and a space 22 between the closed top of the coverand the open top of the generator-box, into which space all thegas-generating compartments open and which space therefore forms thegas-chamber 22, from which the gasometerissupplied. Informingthischamberthe cover preferably rests upon the top edges of the generator-box.

For supplying water to the gas-generating boxes I provide thesealing-coverwitha chamber 23, which forms a tray extending over itssurface for receiving and holding water, and from the closed top of thistray water is su pplied to the tank-compartinent to form the seal forthe gas-chamber 22, which is formed by the inverted cover, and to supplythe carbid for the generation of the gas. At one side of the tank awater-supply pipe 2t enters each of its compartments, so as to deliverwater onto the tray-top, and from this traytop the water overflowsuniformly all around its edge and over the vertical walls of theinvertedsealing box-cover.

It will be understood that the central compartment 9 of thegas-generating box forms the inlet feed-chamber for the water whichsupplies the carbid-compartments and that for this purpose suchfeed-chamber has an opening 25 in its bottom,up and through which thewater is forced by the pressure of the gas in the sealed chamber, sothat the water overflows from this middle chamber in its circuit intoand out of the carbid-compartments, as stated. It will be understoodthat the Watershed from the tray-top will pass freely under the edges ofthe walls of the inverted cover and also through one or more openings'26, Fig. 3, in its walls at its lower edge into the space 27, formedbetween the bottom of the gas-generating box and the bottom of thetankcompartment, and that according to the pressure of the gas in thesealed-top-cover chamber upon the water in the tank-compartment thewater will be caused to rise in the box feed-chamber 9 and in the spaces5 all around the walls of the generator-box, so that the latter will bepractically inclosed by water, and thereby absorb and radiate the heatof the walls produced by the generation of the gas and by the hot gas incontact with said walls.

It is important to note that while the water overflows from one sideonly of the feed-chamber 9 into the adjacent gas-generating compartmentthe walls 10 at which the overflow is made has an opening 28, Fig. 3, atthe bottom, into and through which water passes from said chamber 9 atonce in contact with the carbid in the adjacent compartment 29, so thatthe gas commences to generate therein before the feed-chamber fillssufliciently to cause the overflow therefrom.

The several water-supply pipes 24, which supply each separate tan k-compartment, are connected by a line-pipe 30,which has valved connection 31with the source of supply, which, as shown, may be a tank 32, placedabove the apparatus, such flow being automatically controlled by therising and falling of the gasometer bell or float, as I will more fullystate.

As a means for supplying the gasometer with gas from the water-sealedchamber 22 as itis generated in the carbid-containing boxes I provide apipe 33, suitably fixed to the bottom of the tank-compartment, andrising through the water-feed opening 25, which, as shown, is in thecentral compartment of the gas-generating-box, extends up and terminatesin an open end 34 in communication with said chamber, so that the gaswill pass under pressure therefrom down through said pipe 33 and outthrough a valve-controlled branch pipe 3i, which, passing through theside wall of the tank beneath the bottom of the gasgenerating box,connects with a line-pipe 35 at the side of the tank and which extendsto, connects with, and delivers the gas into the gasometer. Thisline-pipe 35 connects in an identical manner with the water-sealedgaschambers of the several gas-generating boxes, and the foregoingdescription of one of the gas take-out pipes will apply to the others.

W'hile provision is made forsupplying each tank-compartment separatelyand independently with water from the line-pipe 30 by providing eachdelivery branch 24 thereof with a cock 36, so that any one of thetank-compartments can be out ott from the others as occasion mayrequire, 1 also provide means for automatically supplying water from oneof the tank-compartments to all the othersthat is, from one into theother. This automatic supply is effected by valve-controlled openings 37in the tank-partitions above the tops of the water-receiving trays,sothat the adjacent tank-compartment.

water rising in one tank under the pressure of the gas will be caused toflow through the said openings in said partition into the next The valvefor controlling this automatic control of the water may be of anysuitable construction; but a simple gate 38, adapted to be raised andlowered, will control the opening, so that it will be more or less abovethe top of the cover water-jacket. The advantage of this automaticwater-flow from one tank to the other is that all the tank-compartmentsbut one may be cut off from the line-pipe and that a singlewater-connected compartment will without any attention supply theothers.

The separate and independent controlof the water-supply to thetank-compartments is important in allowing any one to be cut off fromthe others for recharging and for cleaning without interrupting theoperation of the others. In Fig. 2 all the compartments are shown incommunication with the water-supply. It is equally advantageous that inthe provision of one line-pipe for connecting all the gas-generatorswith the gasometer the connection with each gas-generator can becontrolled independently of the other by suitable cut-off cocks 39 inthe branch pipes connecting with the water-sealed gas-chambers. Whilethe gas-pipe 33 may open into any part of the water-sealed gas-chamber,I prefer to provide a hood or inverted cup 40, rising from the top ofthe sealing-cover, opening into the gas-chamber, and into which theupper open end of the gas take-out pipe 33 eX- tends, so that it will atall times be above any height to which the water may be raised in thegas-generating boxes, and thereby prevent water entering the gastake-out pipe. This construction and arrangement of the gas take-outpipe gives the important advantage of freely and quickly setting in andremoving the gas-chamber sealing-box cover and the gas-generating boxfrom each tank-compartment and also of determining on sight whether anyor all of the gas-generators are in operating condition, because the topof the Water-tank being open will show if any of the tank-compartmentsare flooded with water, and such showing must only result from theexhaustion of the gas-producing carbid. In the event of such fioodingitwill be understood that it can only result from the exhaustion of thecarbid in the flooded compartment, since the pressure of the waterraised to a flooding-point overb'alances the gas-pressure and causes thegas to flow out into the gasometer, and water must then take the placeof the expelled gas. i

The arrangement of the gas take-out pipe, passing through one of thecompartments which does not contain carbid, constitutes one of thefeatures of my invention and being for a greater part of its lengthimmersed in water in the generator and in the tank keeps it from beingunduly heated and serves to re- ,per end of the purifier-chamber.

duce the heat of the gas before it enters the gasometer.

The gasometer 41 is of the usual construction, and its sealing bell orfloat 42 is actuated by the pressure of the gas entering within the bellin a well-known way, so as to antomaticallycontrol a cock 31 in thewatersupply pipe to supply the water as it is-required to generate thegas or to cut off the water-supply when the gas ceases to be generated,such cont-r01 of the cook 31 being by an arm 31, connecting the floatguide-rod with said cock. a

The gascontrolling cocks 39 I prefer to make of the two-wayconstruction, so that the gas in the chamber of any of the generatorswill always be in comm unication with the gasometer through the purifierby means of one or the other of two pipes entering the gaspurifier, andthereby render itimpossible that the gas will reach beyond the safepressure in the gas-generator.

A gas-purifier may be used in the gas-pipe at any point between thegenerator and the gasometer to relieve the gas of any foreign matterswhich may pass with it from the gasgenerators. This purifier also servesto prevent the backflow of the gas from the gasometer. As shown in Fig.7, this purifier consists of a chamber 43, containing water or oil, intoand through whichthe line gas-pipe 35 passes and communicates with saidchamber by an opening 36, from which the gas passes into the upperclosed end of an inverted-cup chamber 37, fixed upon the pipe near theup- This inverted-cup chamber opens near the bottom of thepurifier-chamber and is sealed in the pnrifying element, a portion ofsuch sealed part being formed of fine mesh 38, so that the gas enteringthe inverted cup under pressure will be forced down through thepurifying element, out through the fine mesh, and up into the chamber,passing therefrom again into the line-pipe 35 through an opening 39therein above the closed end of the inverted cup to the gasometer. Afilling-pipe 40 and a trappipe 44 are provided for the purifier tosupply and to determine such supply of the purifying element.

Each tank-compartment is provided with a water-cock 45 for drawing offthe water when it is necessary to recharge the generator with carbid, sothat when the recharged gas-generator is put in its place thecompartment, will be free from water from a point just below the bottomof-the gas-generator, so that the latter will be free from water untilthe water-supply pipe is put in service to feed the gas-generator.

In the working of apparatus for generating and supplying acetylene gasit often occurs that a surplus quantity of gas is produced. I providefor storing this surplus gas that it may come back to the gasometer foruse. This provision consists of a storage-tank 46,

having the construction of a gasometer and which is connected by a pipe47 with the gasometer, so as to receive and convey the surplus gas fromthe gasometer and deliver it into the storage-tank. This storage isrendered possible by reason of any excess of pressure in the gasometerand the relief of that excess of pressure by driving out the surplus gasinto the storage-chamber. As soon as the excess of pressure no longerexists in the gasometer the gas in the storage-chamber will leave it andreturn to the gasometer. It will be understood that the weight of thebell or float 4:8 in the storage-chamber will be slightly in excess ofthe bell or float of the gasometer in order to cause the return of thesurplus gas to the gasometer.

The storage-chamber may have a blow-off attachment for the relief of anyundue pressure in such chamber. In the drawings such attachment is shownas consisting of a pipe 49, centrally rising in the storage-chamber to aheight just above the level of the'water therein, and over this pipe atelescoping sealing-sleeve 50 rests upon the open end of the fixed pipeand extends nearly to the bottom of the storage-chamber. A chain 51connects the top of the sleeve with the top of the float or bell 48, sothat when the pressure in the chamber becomes undue the raising of thefloat thereby will, by means of its connection with the sealing-sleeve,lift it, and thereby bring an opening 52 in the sleeve above the waterseal and in communication with the gas in the chamber of the float andallow it to escape down and out of the blow-01f pipe.

I have stated that provision may be made whereby any undue pressure ofthe gas in the generators may be relieved by the provision of meanswhereby the generators may be put in communication with the gas-purifierat the same time the generators are in communication with the gasometer.This provision is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and consists in connecting asupplemental pipe 53 to the twoway cocks 39 of the several gas take-outpipes and ext-ending this supplemental pipe so as to open into thechamber of the purifier, Fig. 7, so that the gas will be deliveredtherein within the purifying-body just the same as the gas is deliveredtherein from the linepipe. This construction provides com munication tothe gasometer, but prevents any backflow of gas from the gasometer tothe generator. When the cock 39 is open to the gasometer by the pipe 35,the other or supplemental pipe 53 is closed to the gas-purifier, andvice versa, so that the gas take-out pipe 34 is always in communicationwith the gasometer either by the line-pipe'35 or by the supplementalpipe 53. (Seen in Fig.8.) Referring to this figure and to the detailsectional view of the two-way cock as therein set, the gas will flowthrough the cock from the takeout pipe 34 to the line-pipe 35 and to thegasometer through the purifier. When the cock is turned to bring itstwo-way opening 0 in communication with the gas take-out pipe, it willopen communication of the latter with the branch pipe 56 and thencethrough the supplemental pipe 53 to the gasometer through the purifier,and this is what I mean by the statement that the gas-take-out pipe isalways in communication with the gasometer.

The area of the gas-generating compartments and the quantity of thecarbid used therein bear such relation to each other, and the way inwhich it is caused to comein contact with the water is only sufiicientto completely decompose it and cause it to give up its gas-producingelement.

The generating-box may be of any shape and size and contain any numberof carbidholding compartments, and the tank may have any number ofcompartments to receive generating-boxes; but whatever the number oftank-compartments their arrangement in a single connected row is thepreferred form.

\Vhen the carbid in any one of the carbidholders becomes exhausted, thefilling of the tank-compartment with water acts to drive out all the gasfrom the gas-chamberinto the line-pipe, so that in removing thegeneratorbox for recharging there will be no gas left in it to fill thesurrounding air, and therefore there is no loss of gas and no dangerwhatever in replenishing the carbid in any one of the tank-compartmentswhile the machine is in operation.

As the gasometer connects directly with the chamber in which the gas isgenerated, the machine therefore can be kept in readiness for supplyingthe lights at any moment and without the least waste of gas.

While I have shown the preferred arrangement of the take-out pipe asentering the sealed gas-chamber from its under side, because it requiresno connection with the gasgenerating parts, yet it is obvious that suchpipe may enter the said chamber from its upper side and be detachablyconnected the'rev with to permit of the removal of the gas-generatingparts.

The parts of the gas-generator will preferably be constructed ofgalvanized iron.

The telescoping cover of the gas-generator may be locked to keep it infixed relation to the gas-generating part and to the tank, and it ispreferred that in the relation of these parts the cover will rest uponthe open top of the gas-generating compartments in forming thegas-chamber.

While I have shown the apparatus as adapted for illuminating purposes,it will be understood that it may be employed for generating gas forheating and for power, the servicepipe 61 for which is shown asconnected to the gas-pipes 47 of the gasometer and storagechamber. 7

To put the apparatus in readiness for use, all but one of thetank-compartments, preferably at one end, are out 01f from thewatersupply. The water-supply cock of the compartment to be used is thenopened to supply it with water, the flow of which is thereafterregulated automatically by the action of .the gasometer bell or float onthe valve 31 of the line water-pipe 30, it being understood that inbeginning to use the machine the gasometer hell or float is in itsnormal down position, and the valve 31 is thereby opened, so that thewater flowing into the generator generates the gas. The gas passes fromthe generator cover-chamber into the gasometer, and as the gas is beingused its pressure will raise or lower the gasometer-bell, so as toadjust the cock 31 to furnish the quantity of water required to producethe required quantity of gas for consumption and no more. When thelights are shut off and the consumption of gas ceases, the generatorwill continue to produce gas, and thereby raise the gasometer-bell to apoint in which it will so act on the watersupply valve as to shut thesupply off, thereby causing the generation of the gas to cease. Thegasometer being now full of gas and the water shut off, the supply ofgas being consumed causes the gasometer-bell to fall, and to the extentof such falling movement does it open the water-supply cook 31 to supplyjust the quantity of waterrequired to replace the gas being consumed,and the supply will thus be continued so long as the gas is beingconsumed. In this way the several separate and distinct generators areput in use either separately or in successive communication with thewater supply. When separately supplied with water, it is by opening thecock of the line water-pipe which supplies each compartment; but whenthe compartments are supplied successively it is by the automatic flowof the water from one of the tankcompartments into the other through thevalve 38 in the tank-partitions. In either case any one of the exhaustedgenerators can be cut off from the others and removed and recharged, thewater in each compartment being first drawn off. In such case therecharged generator will automatically take its turn in the generationof the gas, for it is important to note that by the provision of thetwo-way cook 39 the gas generated in any one of the tank-compartmentswill pass intothe gasometer through the gas-purifier, and therebyprevent accident or loss of gas, whatever may be the working conditionof the machine. An important advantage of this construction is that thegenerators can be used from either end of the tank or from the middlethereof, which very materially facilitates the management of the workingof the machine, be cause thereby it can be used with one or more or allof the tank-compartments and generators put in use at the same time.

a In Fig. 3 the dotted lines indicate the normal height of the water inthe tank-compartments in the normal condition of the gas-generator,while in Fig. 2 the dotted lines indicate the height of the water in thetank and in the middle feed-compartment of the gasgenerator when the gasis being generated.

Inasmuch as the closing of-the box-cover over the gasgenerator willconfine air in the closure formed by the telescoping parts, a cock maybe provided in the gas-line pipe to allow the escape of the air andpreventing it from passing with the gas into the gasometer.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the box-cover is ofgreater interior area than the external area of the gas-generator box,so as to allow the box-cover to fit freely over the boX-generatorandhave a space surrounding the generator-box and also a space surroundingthe depending walls of the boxcover, and that it is from this latterspace, which is open for the upward flow of the water above thecovertray, that the water is caused to fill the compartment above thetray and to flow from one compartment into the other through theopenings 37 in the partitions. The'lower edges of thesepartitionopenings 37 are preferably on a level with the overflow-top ofthe tray, and the gate is designed to be raised to bring the lower edgeof the opening higher, according to the pressure under which thegenerator may be operating.

It is a convenient arrangement to locate both the water-supplying andthe gas takeout pipes on one of the long sides of the tank and the waterdraw-off cocks on the opposite side of the tank, and, as seen in Fig. 3,these draw-off cocks leave a depth of water in the tanks that will giveno action on the carbid until the water-supply is let into the covertray.

For removing and replacing the cover-box it is provided with handles 54,which stand up from the overflow-surface.

Referring to the tray of the generator-cover, (seen in Fig. 5,) I preferto use the tray in the form of a closed chamber, wherein the water issupplied by a filling-opening 55, and this water will add sufficientweight to the 'cover to keep it seated upon the open top of thegenerator against the pressure of the gas in the chamber formed by thecover. This construction m akes the top of the removable cover awater-jacket seated directly upon the generator-box with an effectivecooling function, and the top surface of the jacket forms the shed forthe water-supply for the tank.

Referring more'particularly to the supplemental gas-pipe 53, itsrelation to the twoway cock is better seen in Fig. 8 as connected to thegas pipe 34: by vertical branches 56, through which the gas is caused topass from the pipe 34 into the supplemental pipe and thence to thegasometer through the purifier, when the cock 39 is turned to cut offcommunication with the line-pipe; but this supplemental pipe may haveany suitable connec- IIO tions with the gas line-pipe, so long as it iscontrolled by the cocks which control the gassupply from the generatorsTo provide against any possible interference with the fixed position ofthe generator which might arise by its possible floating, a bar 57 isplaced on the top of the generatorbox, preferably across and upon itshandles, and, extending through openings in the side walls of the tank,serve to lock the generatorbox securely on its seat. This locking-bar iseasily removable to allow the lifting out of the generator-box.

Instead of supplying the waterdirectly upon the overflow-top of thecover it may be supplied by hand filling directly into its topjacket-chamber, from which it will overflow, and thereby keep the waterin this chamber cool.

In the operation of the machine it may happen that all the carbid wouldbecome exhausted, the effect of which would cause the bell or float ofthe gasometer to fall by reason ofabsence ofthegasin thegasometer. Insuch event and in the absence of an attendant to prevent the continuanceof the water-supply the machine would be flooded with water. To preventsuch a happening, I provide for automatieallycutting off the supply ofwater by the falling movement of the gasometer bell or float. Thisprovision consists of a device arranged to connect the bell or floatwith the cock of the water-supply line-pipe, whereby when the bell orfloat has fallen to near the limit of its descent it will actuate saiddevice to cut off the water-supply to the machine. Any suitableconnection for the float and cock may be used for this purpose. A verysimple means is shown in Fig. 1, and consists of a plate 58, fixedhorizontally on the upper part of the float guide-rod, and a bell-cranklever, of which the armSl forms one branch, attached to the handle ofthe water-supply cock of the line-pipe and having said arm 31 extendingunder the said guide-rod plate, while the other arm 59 of saidbell-crank lever will stand in hanging position by reason of itsweighted end 60. In the contingency stated the falling of the float orhell will press upon and carry with it the arm 31 of said bell-cranklever, and which in approaching a vertical line will therebyand to thesame extent of movement cause the weighted arm 59 to rise toward ahorizontal position, so that when the float nearly reaches its lowestpoint its guide-rod plate will pass off the end of the arm 31, which ithad forced down, and the weighted arm 59 will thereby be free to falland, closing its connected cock, shut off the water-supply. As shown inthe full lines, the device is in its position when the float is up andthe water is shut off, while the dotted lines show the position of thebell-crank lever when the float has fallen to a position just ready totrip or release the lever device, so

that its weighted arm will fall and again close the cock.

It will be understood that the movement of the float either falling orrising between the extremes of the movement of its guide-rod plate shownwill allow and control the watersupply to the machine. This automaticwater-controlling device afterit has been tripped in the operation andfor the purpose stated may be again set by turning it over to againbring its arm beneath the float-plate, which is its normal position.

Instead of having to remove the compartment-generators for rechargingand for cleaningI may employ separate removable carbidholders seatedwithin these compartments, so that it may be unnecessary to remove theheavy compartment part.

I claim- 1. In apparatus for generating gas, a tank constructed with avalved water-supply pipe enteringthe wallatitsupperpart,avalvedgassupply pipe entering the wall at its lower part andrisingcentrallyofthetank,in combination with a generator constructedwith a central compartment open at the bottom for comm unication withthe tank, and within which central compartment the lower gas-pipe risesand opens, a multiple of compartments surrounding and communicating withthe open-bottom central compartment, a water-sealed cover inclosing thegenerator, a gasometer connecting the said lower pipe and means forautomatically supplying water to the said upper pipe and to theopen-bottom compartment.

2.111 a gas-generating apparatus, and in combination with a tank formedby partitions into separate compartments, overflow valved openings insaid partitions, a line-pipe having valved branches opening into the topof each compartment, a gas-generator in each tank -compartment havingcommunication therewith, a gas take-out pipe opening into the generatorgas-chamber of each compartment, a line-pipe connecting the gas take-outpipes, a supplemental line-pipe connecting each gas take-out pipe,valves controlling the communication between the said gas linepipes, agas-purifier into which both gaslinepipes open, means for automaticallysupplying water to the tank-pipe, and a gasometer in communication withthe gas-chamber of said purifier.

3. In a gas-generator of the character described and in communicationwith a tank having division-partitions, valved openings in their upperpart, a gas-generator within each tank-compartment having a multiple ofcompartments, its top about level with said partition valved openings, aline-pipe at the side of the tank having a valved branch opening, intoeach tank-compartment above the generator, means for automaticallysupplying the said line-pipe with water, a valved gas take-out pipestanding Vertically in one of the gas-generator compartments in con1munication with the top of the gas-chamber of each generator, aline-pipe at the side of the tank connecting the said separate gastake-outpipes, and a gasometer in communication with saidgas line-pipe.

4. In a gas-generator and in combination with a tank, a gas-generatortherein, a valved gas take-out pipe in communication with thegenerator-chamber, a gasometer and a water float or bell therein incommunication with the gas take-out pipe, means actuated by said floatfor supplying water to said tank, a storage-chamber in communicationwith the'gasometer, a float in the storage-chamber, and a blow-oftdevice therein consisting of a fixed pipe opening above the level of thewater therein, a sleeve independent of the float telescoping with saidpipehaving its upper end closed and normally resting on said pipe, anopening below its closed end and a chain connecting the closed end ofthe sleeve and the float whereby the ascent of the float lifts thesleeve to bring it and its inclosed pipe and the gas-chamber of float incommunication to relieve undue pressure as stated.

5. In a gas-generator a tank constructed with the partitions 3 the upperpart of each having an overflow-opening 37 on a level near its top,vertical slide-valves 38 for said openings, valved pipes entering theside at the lower part of the tank, standing centrally and openingbetween the partitions, valved pipes entering the side and opening intothe upper part of the tank between the partitions, a linepipe connectingthe upper valved pipes and means for supplying it with water, and alinepipe connecting the lower valved pipes, in combination withgas-generators seated in the tank between each partition over the gastakeout and having a compartment opening into the tank and into saidstanding pipe and provided with a multiple of generator-compart mentscommunicating with each other, with the tank and with the gas take-outpipe, and a gasometer in communication with the said gas take-out pipes.

6. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting of an open-toptank having dividing-partitions, a box seated therein between eachpartition with a space surrounding the box, and having a multiple ofcommunicating compartments one of which has a bottom opening, awater-containing chamber beneath the boX opening into one of saidcommunicating compartments, and a cover seated on the box, depending inthe surrounding space and having a water-chamber at its top, incombination with valved pipes entering the tank above the topwater-chamber between the partitions, a line pipe connecting the valvedpipes and means for supplying the said line -pipe with water, valved gastake-out pipes entering the tank-bottom water-containing space andstanding in the open-bottom compartment and opening above the watertherein, a line-pipe connecting the gas takeout pipes, and a gasometerconnecting the gas take-out pipes. p

7. An apparatus for generating acetylene gas consisting of an open-toptank, a box seated therein surrounded by water-containing space andhaving a multiple of compartments the central one whereof forms awaterspace communicating at the bottom with said tank-space thesurrounding compartments forming receptacles for containing carbid ofcalcium, one of which communicates at the bottom and by overflow, or byeither with the central compartment, and thence by overflow with thecontiguous compartments in succession, in combination with means forsupplying the tank with water, a valved gas takeout pipe standing andopening in the central compartment, above the water-level, and a coverfor the generator, and a gasometer connecting said gas take-out pipe,wherebywater is supplied to a multiple of carbid-holders from a centralcompartment from which the gas is also taken. v I

8. In an acetylene-gas generator and in combination with awater-containing tank, a gas-generator therein, a gas take-out pipe incommunication with the generator-chamber, a gasometer in communicationwith the gas take-out pipe, a gas-purifierin communication with saidgas-pipe, a supplemental pipe in communication with the gas take-outpipe and having water-sealed communication with the gas-purifier, and acock on the gas take-out pipe adapted to open communication with bothpipes entering the purifier-chamber, whereby the gas-generator willalways be in communication with the gasometer through the purifier, andmeans for supplying water.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, and in combination with 'an open-toptank having partitioned compartments, a removable gasgenerator for thecarbid within each compartment, a water-supply pipe for eachtankcompartment, a line-pipe connecting said separate water-supply pipeswith the source of supply, and valved overflow for each partitionwhereby each of the several tank-compartments may be automaticallysupplied with water overflowing from one into the other as an auxiliarymeans of supplying the carbidholders, a gas take-out pipe incommunication with the chamber of each gas-generator,

a line-pipe connecting the said separate gas take-out pipes,a gasometerin communication with said gas-supply line-pipe and means whereby wateris supplied.

10. In a gas-generator of the character described, and in combinationwith an open top water-containing tank, a gas-generating box thereinprovided with amultiple of opentop compartments, the central one whereofhas a bottom opening, one of said compart ment-walls 10 being of lessheight than the others and the contiguous compartments having walls overwhich a flow of water is cffected in succession from the said centralcentral compartment,andagasometerin comcompartment, a box-cover forminga waterm nnieation with the gas take-out pipe. [0 sealed gas-chamberbetween it and the said In testimony whereof I aifixv my signaturebox-compartments, a-valved gas take-ontpipe I in presence of twowitnesses.

rising in the central generator-compartment t SAMUEL IIANFORI). andopening into the said chamber, means I \Vitnesses: for supplying waterto the tank, and to the A. E. II. JOHNSON, generator through the bottomopening in its I A. ROLAND JOHNSON.

